New Delhi:
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and Tata Group Chairperson Ratan Tata on April 4 to discuss their role in the 2-G Spectrum allocation case.
Sources said the PAC will meet on April 4 and 5 to discuss the 2-G spectrum allocation case which had led to the resignation of Telecom Minister A Raja. He was later arrested and is still in custody.
"Niira Radia and Ratan Tata have been called on April 4 to discuss their role in the 2-G allocation. On April 5, representatives of four companies - Swan Telecom, Reliance, Airtel and Unitech - have been asked to present themselves," they said.
Mr. Tata has said that he welcomes the opportunity to clarify issues. "Mr. RN Tata has expressed his willingness to appear before the PAC on April 4th in connection with the recent developments in the Telecom Sector including allocation of 2G & 3G spectrum," said the spokesperson for Tata Sons.
Representatives of four key players and alleged beneficiaries, namely Reliance (Anil Ambani Group), Airtel, Swan Telecom and Unitech, have been summoned on April 5.
Tata and Reliance are clients of Radia's Vaishnavi Communications. In a statement today, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications said, "We continue to extend our cooperation and will be present before the PAC to answer queries and present any clarifications."
Swan Telecom, now DB Etisalat, chief Shahid Balwa is already in custody in the 2-G Spectrum case.
Mr Joshi's panel is meant to base its work on the report by the government's auditor which was tabled in Parliament in November. The report says Rs. 1.76 lakh crore was lost by giving away valuable spectrum at throwaway prices in 2008 when A Raja was the Telecom Minister.
(with PTI Inputs)